Merle Eugene Crowe

Merle Eugene Crowe, a beloved member of the Rochester, Minnesota community, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2025, at the age of 99. Born on November 30, 1925, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, he was the cherished son of Earl and Stella (Hollesen) Crow (at this time in history, the family name did not have an "e" on the end of their name). Merle proudly served in the United States Navy, enlisting in 1943 during a time of great national need. On September 8, 1946, he married the love of his life, Virginia (Ginny) Donna May O'Neil, whom he met on a blind date in Morton, Minnesota. Together, they established a warm and loving home in Preston, Minnesota, where Merle worked as a mechanic until 1953. The family later relocated to Dodge Center and then to Rochester in 1975, where he continued his career until retirement from IBM. A devoted member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Merle engaged actively with the Renville Historical and Genealogical Society. He found joy in spending time with family, delving into Bible and Civil War studies, and devotedly volunteering by bell ringing, serving food, and visiting nursing home patients. His zest for life was indicative of his character; he enjoyed bike riding, pencil drawing, and indulging in cookies and ice cream, which sustained his remarkable independence, as he continued to live and drive by himself until January 2025. Merle is survived by his children, Larry Crowe (Sheila Campion) and Michael Crowe; his grandchild, Nancy Crowe (Steve Meyer) and great grandson, Nicholas Price. He is also survived by his sister, Deanna Felger. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia, in 2008, as well as his parents, four brothers-Richard Crow, Keith Crowe, Robert Crow, and Gary Crow-and two sisters, Helen Anderson and Lois Boettcher. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Bethel Lutheran Church, with visitation occurring one hour prior to the service. The burial will take place at a later date, at Morton City Cemetery in Morton, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, who will honor Merle's memory by forwarding them to organizations that held special meaning to him. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.